Red Necked Phalarope and Arctic Tern

[NorthernFocus]

After the last couple of days of snow and wind, the sun finally came out and it warmed up to a balmy 45F. I picked up a D7100 yesterday to pair up with a 300mm f4 to try out as a light weight wildlife rig. So I decided to make the best of the lovely evening sun and take the new rig for a spin. I rode down to the local shorebird sanctuary to see what was up. Quite a bit of acivity. I got a lifetime first with the rednecked phalarope.

D7100, 300mm f4 AF-S w/1.4x TC
1/2000s f/5.6 at 420.0mm iso800
handheld on BushHawk

Red Necked Phalarope



Arctic Tern



Mew Gull enjoying the sun too

[Downrigger]

Very nice set. I'm just getting underway with my first telephoto, (nikkor 70-200 f4) and discovering how very difficult it is to capture crisply focused, well lit images of birds. Lots to remember, lots to get right. These are an inspiration.

[terrib]

Beautiful. Especially the first two.

[Brownbear]

Gorgeous photos... the tern being my favourite for the colour, clarity, focus, detail in the wings and tail, and gorgeous background. Thank you for sharing you settings...

[Donald]

Gorgeous photos... the tern being my favourite for the colour, clarity, focus, detail in the wings and tail, and gorgeous background.

I'll not argue with that assessment. Beautiful, high-end photography.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks for the comments, folks. I thing I have found the camera/lens combination that I will be taking on vacation to Australia this fall I'm really pleased with the D7100 and the 300 f4 is tack sharp even with the 1.4x TC on it. Finally have a reasonably light weight wildlife rig.

[Bobobird]

Lovely birds and beautiful colours.

[ucci]

Don't know how many times one is allowed to repeat the same fulsome praise for great captures. But hang it all I will risk it as these damn well deserve such re-iterations. All great shots. Still tossing up for my druthers. Too hard to call at the moment. They are all just so good.

[ucci]

t I will be taking on vacation to Australia this fall

Please don't 'fall' in Australia during your Autumn visit Down Under. You may sustain an injury and our medicos charge like wounded bulls! But putting nonsense aside. Welcome to the Land of Oz. Hope your stay is great and that you get lots of fabo pics. Why? To share with the rest of us of course!

[RogerCook]

Yes great shots the Tern is super sharp and my fav.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, everyone. It's a challenge to keep those terns in the viewfinder much less in focus. The small, light rig makes it much easier to track them. When you do finally nail focus on one you've got to show off at least a bit

Ken I guess I won't need to worry about fall at any rate since it'll be spring down under.

[jamn4ex]

That combo sure is working sweetly. very interested in what youll find down under.

[NorthernFocus]

Thanks, James.